Triple-header on the Shannon

9th June 2008

Waterways Ireland are to sponsor Ireland's largest triathlon this July in Ireland's most central town. Triathlone hosted more than 1,500 competitors last year, and as the last European triathlon before Beijing, should attract some top names.

Pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/reverend_smarm/

The event is in its third year and has already exceeded expectations. In 2006, 600 competitors took to the Shannon and streets of Athlone for the event. This nearly tripled in the second year, with 1,500 competitors. This year is of particular significance for TriAthlone as the city and event have been selected to host the 2010 European Triathlon Championships.

This year’s TriAthlone holds particular significance as it the last triathlon on European soil and will attract some of Europe’s best as well as Irish, Beijing-bound, duo Gavin Noble and Emma Davis.

Title sponsors, Waterways Ireland, have agreed to be the title sponsor for this year’s event offering full use of the River Shannon as well as safety and all control vessels on the course. Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, development, and restoration of inland navigable waterways primarily for recreational purposes.

While there will be top level and Olympic athletes taking part there is also a week-long festival leading up, and during, TriAthlone called TriFest. The TriFest festival will take place from the 6th to the 13th of July all around Athlone town. The festival will see a huge variety of activities and entertainment for the whole family.

One of the main events will be the Aquathon. In keeping with the spirit of the festival in honour of the triathlon event, this will serve as a fun triathlon for kids. Children U-12 and U-14 can compete in a swim and a run to try and emulate their heroes who will be competing in the Waterway’s Ireland TriAthlone event.

For those who don’t want to use up too much energy, there will be plenty of entertainment and colour to satisfy them. Attractions such as Jazz barbeques, Arts and Crafts Fairs, Traditional Music sessions, on street entertainment all over Athlone Town and Castle Concerts with the Palace Bar to make sure everyone enjoys themselves. There will be a Children’s Theatre Show in the Passionfruit Theatre, while the Dublin Gospel Choir will also be performing a church concert.

There will be a Sprint Regatta with the Athlone Boat club, a sub aqua performance and weather permitting the skies will be filled with hot air balloons on the Saturday and Sunday of TriFest. The main event, the Waterways Ireland TriAthlone, will take place on Saturday the 12th of July and will be the main focus of the day, but there will be plenty of fun for everyone on the streets of Athlone.

Event website: www.triathlone.com

Published in News From the Afloat.ie Archive

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